From “Center Stage” to the golden stage! Zoe Saldaña’s talent is undeniable. The star, 46, took home her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Emilia Pérez” at the 2025 Academy Awards on Sunday. “Saldaña said while accepting her award.

For those who aren't familiar, "Emilia Pérez" is supposed to be an "avant garde" musical about a Mexican drug cartel leader named Manitas (played by Karla Sofía Gascón) who fakes his death to undergo gender-affirming surgery to become a woman. Saldaña plays Rita, the lawyer who works to help him pull it all off.

Zoe Saldaña, who won best supporting actress, didn't back down when a reporter pressed her about criticism the film has drawn for its depiction of Mexico. The film's plot centers on a drug kingpin played by Karla Sofía Gascón (the first openly transgender actress to be nominated in the best actress category) who is desperate to live a different,